The EVAluation LAB – #EVALAB@HUG/UNIGE

Our laboratory for usability evaluation is called Evalab and is situated in the main building of the Geneva University Hospitals. The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of technology enabling the evaluation of technology use by health care professionals in realistic scenarios. Participants’ behavior in the laboratory can be recorded with remotely controlled video cameras. Furthermore, we can record the screen of any medical application that is used. Evalab can be transformed to simulate different use environments providing the infrastructure of a living lab. In order to get insight in the medical decision process we do not only rely on interviews but we can in addition record eye movements with an eye tracker or even measure brain waves with a portable EEG. Thus, we can get to understand the obstacles in human-computer interaction and propose novel approaches that are better adapted to health care professionals’ needs.

In Evalab we have already applied our methods and equipment to a multitude of projects. In the following we name a few.

Inspection of laboratory reports

Using eye trackers, we were interested in the visual exploration of different representations of laboratory results. In an experimental study we compared the different representations and measured the participants’ ability to identify out of range values, recognize changes in time, and make a prognostic in time.

KiOP

The project KiOP (Kinnect in the operating room) introduced gestures using a Kinect® device to manipulate radiological images using hand gestures. In an experimental study we compared efficiency, efficacy, and user satisfaction of surgeons and medical students when either using the gestured based system or the present solutions in the operating room.

HandOffs

Handoffs are key in maintaining the continuity of care for hospitalized patients. However, these transitions introduce the potential for harmful communication errors. The project HandOffs is aiming to understand those transitions and to identify improvements in the process using support material such as guidelines or integrated computerized decision support.

EEG

Recently, portable electroencephalography devices have entered the consumer markets. Manufacturers advertise them to be used as input devices to control computers just by thought. In a present study, we explore the potential of human-brain interfaces in the medical domain.